The tanka is a thirty-one-syllable poem, traditionally written in a single unbroken line. A form of waka, Japanese song or verse, tanka translates as "short song," and is better known in its five-line, 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count form.
I studied on a one-day a week creative writing course before my degree, I ad the opportunity to learn about tanka and managed to produce four of my own. The four poems developed organically, out of my love for nature and my family.
We lived on a housing association estate back then and I was always amazed by some of the local children, who often seemed to mill about without much parental intervention and support. My own son and daughter were kept occupied with sport, art and musical activities. The fourth poem reflects the development of those other children.
Adolescence
Keep your faith with me
When the world opens its arms
And you slip from view.
Youth may take you far and high
My love will hold if you fall.
Constraint
Political correctness
has stifled life’s frivolity.
Joy goes unspoken.
Speech tight-lipped, not free.
Who is different – you or me?
Bonsai
Tiny perfect leaves
Trim ev’ry minature bough.
Impersonation
scaled to perfection with skill
and patience by loving hands.
Cherry Tomatoes
You were not nurtured
yet year on year green shoots grow
wild on wet compost.
Carelessly discarded seed
Ripens to soft scarlet fruit.
Thanks for reading. Adele
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